Saguisag appeals for ‘trouble-free’ Game 2

Ateneo guard Matt Nieto is down on the floor after taking an inadvertent elbow from La Salle big man Ben Mbala late in the first half of Game 1 of the UAAP Season 80 mens basketball Finals. Nieto sustained a cut above his left eye. Photo by Bong Lozada/INQUIRER.net

UAAP executive director Rebo Saguisag will be laying down the law before Ateneo and La Salle take the court again Wednesday with the UAAP Season 80 title duel getting has heated as ever.

Saguisag is looking to summon select players from both teams on Wednesday following videos of unsportsmanlike acts surfaced online.

“We’re still reviewing the videos,” Saguisag said in a text message.

Saguisag did not divulge the names of the players, but videos have circulated online over the past days that saw La Salle players doing unsportsmanlike acts through the course of Game 1.

One video shows La Salle’s Abu Tratter seemingly hitting Ateneo’s Raffy Verano with a punch in a rebound play, while another shows young Archer Ricci Rivero giving a cheap shot to Vince Tolentino after the Blue Eagle attempted a free throw.

The physicality in the championship series opener also saw Ben Mbala inadvertently elbow Matt Nieto in the face that left the Ateneo bloodied after sustaining a cut over his left eye.

Saguisag is imploring both sides to have a “trouble-free” Game 2.

“I’m appealing to all parties, and that includes coaches, spectators, athletic directors,  and the like for a trouble-free Game 2,” he said.

Ateneo shoots for a sweep on Wednesday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.